Obra Electroacustica 1969-1981

Description

For the first time, a representative anthology of Eduardo Polonio's early electroacoustic works is available in vinyl format. This compilation also serves as a review of the history of Spanish electroacoustic music, featuring works created at the Phonos Laboratory in Barcelona, the Alea Electronic Music Laboratory in Madrid, the Electroacoustic Music Cabinet in Cuenca, and the composer's private studio in Barcelona. The anthology "Eduardo Polonio: Obra electroacustica 1969-1981" revives the early stages of the innovative composer with a curated selection of eight restored pieces, spanning from his experiments at the Alea Laboratory in Madrid to his works at the Phonos Laboratory in Barcelona. A limited edition celebrating his profound impact on Spanish experimental music. Eduardo Polonio (1941-2024) was one of the foundational figures in the emergence and development of electroacoustic music in Spain. The anthology "Eduardo Polonio: Obra electroacustica 1969-1981" revives his legacy with a selection of essential pieces from his early electroacoustic period. The album includes eight compositions created between 1969 and 1981, spanning from Polonio's early experiments at the Alea Electronic Music Laboratory in Madrid to his later work at the Phonos Laboratory in Barcelona. From the raw electronic textures of "Para una pequena margarita ronca" (1969) to the timbral subtleties of "Flautas, voces, animales, pajaros..." (1981), this collection showcases Polonio's artistic evolution and highlights different facets of his work as a composer and musician. The included works reflect this multifaceted aesthetic. "Oficio" (1969) is a real-time improvisation recorded using two low-frequency generators and a modified electric guitar amplifier for sound modulation. Rabelaisiennes (1969), for prepared guitar, explores minimalism and instrumental experimentation. "Continuo" (1970), a piece for electric guitar and bass, anticipates ambient music while engaging with free jazz and psychedelia. "Me voy a tomar el Orient Express" (1976) stands out for its rhythmic and harmonic interplay between the lines forming the sonic texture. "Valverde" (1981) offers a microscopic study of a distinctive way flamenco guitar concludes bulerias phrases. "El reclinatorio en el tejado de la lejana abadia" (1971) is structured as an imaginary soundscape in the form of a suite. Polonio's life and work parallel the history of electroacoustic music in Spain. As one of the most significant composers of his generation, he was both a witness and participant in the technological evolution and various aesthetic movements of the late 20th century. From his beginnings at Alea, Spain's first electronic music laboratory, to his collaborations with figures like Horacio Vaggione and Josep Maria Mestres Quadreny at Phonos, Polonio carved a unique path in the history of Spanish experimental music. "Eduardo Polonio: Obra electroacustica 1969-1981" is released by Buh Records as a limited double LP edition and in digital format, in collaboration with the Asociacion de Musica Electroacustica de Espana (AMEE). The audio in this edition has been restored and mastered directly from the master tapes by Victor Aguado. The album includes extensive liner notes written by Victor Aguado and Ramon del Buey, with artwork by Gonzalo de Montreuil.